Rapist Christo Brown’s sentence stands as appeal bid dismissed by Hobart Court of Criminal Appeal

A man who raped an elderly Launceston woman in 2015 has had his appeal against his conviction and sentence dismissed.

Christo Brown, centre, arriving back in Tasmania to face rape charges after a successful extradition application.

A MAN who raped an elderly Launceston woman in 2015 has had his appeal against his conviction and sentence dismissed.

A jury found Christo Brown guilty in July last year of raping the 76-year-old woman while she was at home in bed in July 2015.

He was also found guilty of aggravated burglary and demanding property with menaces with intent to steal $250. Brown was 18 years old at the time.

The Court of Criminal Appeal today dismissed Brown’s appeal against his conviction and the eight-year sentence he received.

JUDGE WARNS OF HIGH RISK OF REOFFENDING AS RAPIST JAILED

Acting Justice Shane Marshall said both grounds of the appeal lacked merit.

“[Brown] has appealed against the convictions and sentence. He raises two grounds of appeal,” Acting Justice Marshall said.

“The first is that the trial judge erred in law in admitting tendency evidence ... the second is that the sentence of eight years’ imprisonment was manifestly excessive in all the circumstances.”

Acting Justice Marshall said he agreed with the trial judge’s decision to allow the tendency evidence — used to argue Brown had a tendency to sexually assault women while they were asleep — and he said the sentence imposed “was an appropriate one”.